You will receive an email notification if you submit your application online.
You will receive a confirmation letter if you email or post your application to us.
To progress your application, we may need to contact you for further information.
If you have any questions or concerns about this, you can contact us by:
- phone on 1800 716 870 (free call) between 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday (public holidays).
- email at victorianredress@dffh.vic.gov.au.
Receiving an offer
If you are eligible, you will be sent a letter of offer for redress.
The letter will:
- state the amount of redress payment
- explain how to access counselling
- give information on the personal acknowledgement or apology process
- explain the timeframe to accept, decline or request a review of the offer.
Accepting an offer
If you are eligible, to accept your offer you (or your legal nominee) will need to:
- sign, date and return the letter to us
- confirm your bank details for the redress payment.
The Redress support team can talk to you about the counselling and the personal acknowledgement or apology process.
If you are not eligible, you will receive a letter explaining why and the review process.
If you die before the department finishes processing your application, the department can give the payment to a person you chose (such as a beneficiary).
Redress payment
Once a redress offer is accepted and a financial payment is to be made, this payment will be sent to your chosen bank account in one lump sum payment.
You do not need to include the payment in your tax return as it is not considered income.
You may need to tell Centrelink about the redress payment, so it doesn't affect your benefits.
Request a review
If you think there has been a mistake, you can ask for a review. The department will organise for a different department representative to review your application.
You may need to give new information to help with the review.
Decline an offer
You can decline an offer of redress.
You can do so by filling in and returning the letter of offer to the Redress support team.
If you decline an offer, you will not be able to apply for Redress for Historical Institutional Abuse again.
Contact us
If you have any questions, contact the Redress support team by:
- phone on 1800 716 870 (free call) between 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
- email at victorianredress@dffh.vic.gov.au